DOLE-1 says PESO support helped place 72-k jobseekers in 2014

SAN FERNANDO CITY – In 2014,  a total of 72, 343 jobseekers in Region 1 landed jobs because of the strong coordination between the Department of Labor and Employment-Regional Office 1 and the Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs).

This was announced by DOLE-1 Regional Director Grace Ursua during the Regional PESO Yearend Performance Assessment held in One Vittoria Hotel, Bantay, Ilocos Sur on January 22-23.

Lauding the region’s PESO managers,  Ursua told PESO contribution to last year’s employment facilitation has exceeded accomplishments in 2013 by 103%, or an increase by 2,215 employed persons.

“This occasion is a good venue to highlight all your invaluable efforts along your core function of providing prompt, timely and effective employment facilitation services in your respective jurisdictions,” the Regional Director told the 75 PESO managers in attendance.

“I also take this opportunity to share to all of you that our partnership has earned for the whole region three milestone awards in the recently concluded DOLE-wide YEPA held in the Occupational Safety and Health Center in Quezon City, namely, Top Three Outstanding Regions and special citations for being one of the top three finalists in the implementation of the SPES, livelihood program and Labor and Employment Education Services (LEES),” she added.

Citing reports from its field offices,  Ursua said Pangasinan led the other provinces in job placement with 35,851 jobseekers employed; Ilocos Sur was next with 18, 094; 11,178 were employed in Ilocos Norte and La Union, 7,270.

“With your steadfast commitment to deliver decent work to our workers, you have willingly accepted greater responsibilities, so much so that your job facilitation function has expanded to include other programs of the DOLE,” Director Ursua said.

The yearend assessment served to enhance the capacities of the PESOs, allow them to share best practices and to recognize last year’s best performers in livelihood program and the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES).

For the livelihood program, the Pangasinan PESO clinched the Best PESO award for the provincial category; while Candon City bagged the award for the city category; Bacnotan, La Union for 1^st to 2^nd class municipalities, and Magsingal, Ilocos Sur for 3^rd to 5^th class municipalities.

Meanwhile, Ilocos Norte PESO led the other provinces in the implementation of SPES; while Laoag City beat the others in the city category; Rosales, Pangasinan for the 1^st to 2^nd class municipalities, and Sarrat, Ilocos Norte for 3^rd to 5^th class municipalities.

“Congratulations for a job well done.  Together, let us continue harnessing our human resources and building the capacities of our clients to make them our active partners in achieving inclusive growth,” Director Ursua said.

The PESOs were also oriented on recent developments in the SPES by Ms. Lhen Pineda of the Bureau of Local Employment, Manila; job prospects in the business process outsourcing industry through Ms. Joan Marie Raquiza and Ms. Camille Ann Tiglao of the EGS; green productivity through Mr. Nathaniel Pineda of the RTWPB-Region1; CHED scholarships through Dr. Geraldine Casipit, Mc Donald’s SPES through Ms. Gigi Ramos, the NRCO program through Ms. Ethel Saliendra and Ms. Marivic Reyes, Career Ambassador for Region 1.